智慧的呼唤
1智慧不是在呼唤吗？
悟性不是在呐喊吗？
2她在路边高处站立，
她在十字街头停留，
3在城门旁，在入口处大喊：
4“世人啊，我呼唤你们，
我向全人类大声呼吁。
5愚昧人啊，要学会谨慎！
愚顽人啊，要慎思明辨！
6你们听啊，我要说美好的话，
开口谈论正直的事。
7我的口传扬真理，
我的嘴憎恨邪恶。
8我口中的言语公正，
没有一句错谬的话。
9我的话，智者明白，哲士认同。
10要接受我的教诲，而非白银；
要选择知识，而非黄金。
11因为智慧比宝石更珍贵，
一切美物都不能与之相比。
12“我智慧与谨慎同住，
我拥有知识和明辨力。
13敬畏耶和华就当憎恨邪恶，
我憎恨骄傲、狂妄、恶道和谎言。
14我有谋略和真知，
又有悟性和能力。
15君王靠我安邦定国，
首领借我秉公行义，
16王公大臣靠我治理天下，
官宦贵胄凭我公正断案。
17爱我的，我也爱他；
恳切寻求我的，必能寻见。
18富贵和尊荣在我，
恒久的产业和公义也在我。
19我的果实胜过纯金，
我的出产胜过纯银。
20我在公义的道上奔走，
在公平的路上前行。
21我要赐财富给爱我的人，
使他们的库房充盈。
22“在耶和华造物的起头，
在太初万物被造以前，
就已经有我。
23从亘古，从太初，
大地还没有形成以前，
我已经被立。
24没有深渊，
没有涌流的水泉以前，
我已经诞生。
25大山未曾奠定，
小丘未曾形成，
我已经出生。
26那时耶和华还没有造大地和原野，
还没有造一粒尘土。
27祂铺设诸天的时候，我已在场。
祂在深渊上画出地平线，
28上使穹苍坚固，
下使深渊的泉源安稳，
29设定沧海的界限，
使海水不得越过祂定的范围，
为大地奠定根基的时候，
30我就在祂身旁，
做祂的工程师，
天天成为祂的喜乐，
终日在祂面前欢悦，
31因祂所造的人世而欢悦，
因祂所造的世人而喜乐。
32“孩子们啊，你们要听从我，
持守我道路的人有福了。
33要听从教诲，不可轻忽，
要做智者。
34人若听从我、天天在我门口仰望、
时时在我门边等候，就有福了。
35因为找到我的，便找到了生命，
他必蒙耶和华的恩惠。
36没找到我就是害自己；
憎恨我就是喜爱死亡。”
1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8.7 an…: Heb. the abomination of my lips 8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.8.8 froward: Heb. wreathed 9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.8.12 prudence: or, subtilty 13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:8.20 lead: or, walk 21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.8.26 fields: or, open places8.26 the highest…: or, the chief part 27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:8.27 a compass: or, a circle 28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.8.35 obtain: Heb. bring forth 36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
